Producer
Anthony Hinds
used the alias "
John Elder
" to pen the screenplay of
Kiss of the Vampire
. Professor Zimmer (
Noel Williams
), an early 20th century Bavarian, entices a British honeymooning couple (
Clifford Evans
,
Jennifer Daniel
) to accept his hospitality. Once ensconced in Zimmer's chateau, the couple discovers with horror that Zimmer, Bavaria's biggest fan of Count Dracula, is the leader of an enthusiastic vampire cult. Clifford Evans plays the Van Helsing counterpart, determined to rescue the entrapped couple. Not as horrific as the title suggests,
concentrates on the seductive, sensual side of vampirism, especially in a surrealistic masked ball sequence. Though it contains far less bloodletting than most Hammer productions,
was severely cut for its American TV release (and retitled
Kiss of Evil
).